prison
A Texas man who shot and critically injured an off-duty police officer at Fort Worth Community Credit Union was sentenced last week to 95 years in state prison, according to Tarrant County District Attorney Phil Sorrells.
Leland Earl Williams, 37, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault against a public servant.The sentence was handed down by a Tarrant County jury.
The shooting occurred on Nov. 27, 2023, at the$1.2 billion Fort Worth Community Credit Union branch on Brentwood Stair Road. Tarrant County Sheriff’s Deputy Brent Brown was working off duty as a security guard when Williams got up from a seat in the lobby and walked toward Brown before firing several shots at nearly point-blank range, according to prosecutors. Despite being shot twice, Brown returned fire, an act that prosecutors said may have saved lives.
“Deputy Brown almost died that day,” Assistant District Attorney Dale Smith said. “Deputy Brown, after being shot twice, began firing, saving the lives of countless people.”
Williams fled the credit union but was later arrested the same day after a brief standoff at a relative’s house.
A motive for the shooting was not disclosed by prosecutors.
After undergoing successful emergency surgery, Brown completed months of rehabilitation and returned to active duty.
“Deputy Brown’s courage in the face of an unprovoked and cowardly attack reflects the very best of our profession,” Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn said in a prepared statement. “I am proud of him, grateful for the relentless work of our prosecutors, and firmly believe that this sentence ensures a dangerous individual will never again have the opportunity to harm the people of Tarrant County.”
Williams’ attorney could not be reached for comment. Fort Worth Community CU did not respond to a CUTimes’ request for comment.
Peter Strozniak can be reached at peter.strozniak@arc-network.com.
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